Senator Kay Hagan Speaks Against Amendment One

Raleigh, N.C. – In a video released today, U.S. Senator Kay Hagan (D – North Carolina) reiterated her opposition to Amendment One, a constitutional rewrite on the May 8, North Carolina primary ballot that would ban civil unions and domestic partnerships, and threaten protections for the state’s unmarried couples.

The video represents the first time Sen. Hagan has appeared on camera to oppose Amendment One and follows a statement in February in which Hagan urged all North Carolinians to join her in opposing the upcoming state ballot measure.

In the video, released by Protect All NC Families, the coalition effort to defeat Amendment One, Sen. Hagan says she opposes Amendment One because of its far-reaching consequences for North Carolina’s families, children and communities. “I do not believe we should amend our state’s constitution to take away people’s rights,” says Hagan. “Amendment One harms our resolve to make all people and all families great.”

Notably, Hagan also highlights the economic harms of Amendment One, pointing to pervasive constituent concerns from North Carolina’s business community.

“We have seen and heard from business leaders from across North Carolina who are worried about our ability to compete with states that are not passing such divisive amendments,” said Hagan. “In this competitive environment we simply cannot afford to pass Amendment One.”

Hagan’s concerns about Amendment One’s impact on North Carolina’s business interests and competitiveness comes the same week as the premiere of the WRAL documentary “The Amendment,” which was unable to find a single CEO who would speak in favor of the amendment. “We tried to find a CEO who supports Amendment One to interview. We worked with the two lead organizations campaigning for it, the North Carolina Family Policy Council and the North Carolina Values Coalition,” said WRAL’s David Crabtree. “They could not find a pro-amendment CEO willing to be interviewed for this documentary.”

Protect All NC Families underscored the importance of Sen. Hagan’s statement against Amendment One. “This powerful new video from our U.S. Senator reflects clearly all that’s at stake as voters consider Amendment One,” said Jeremy Kennedy, campaign manager for Protect All NC Families. “Those impacted by Amendment One are indeed our friends, neighbors and loved ones, and as people head to the polls this week, it is our hope that Sen. Hagan’s voice joins the rising chorus of trusted leaders who can inform North Carolinians’ votes against in the continuing effort to protect North Carolina families, children, business and the reputation of this state as whole.”

Protect All NC Families (protectncfamilies.org) is a broad coalition of state and national Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) and human rights groups, faith organizations, communities of color, nonpartisan organizations, and business & community leaders, coming together for one purpose: to defeat Amendment One on the NC primary ballot.